Arsenal U23 2-0 Sunderland U23: Francis Coquelin returns to action as Chuba Akpom inspires victory
- Francis Coquelin started as Arsenal's under-23s beat Sunderland on Monday
- Vlad Dragomir opened the scoring after some good work from Chuba Akpom
- Akpom then doubled the lead slotting home a rebound from close range
Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin returned to action on Monday as the club's under-23s eased to victory over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium.
The Frenchman has been on the sidelines for a month since suffering a hamstring problem.
But he has returned to full training over the past few days and was deemed fit enough to start in the youth team clash.
Francis Coquelin dribbles with the ball during his team's victory over Sunderland
The Frenchman started his first match in over a month due to a hamstring injury
Forgotten man Mathieu Debuchy had the ball in the net early on before his effort was chalked off for offside.
It was not until the second half that Gatting’s side broke the deadlock through Vlad Dragomir, who fired into the top corner from close range after some good build-up play from Chuba Akpom.
Akpom then made sure the result was safe when he was in the right place at the right time to knock home a rebound from close range.
The result means Arsenal are now second in the league, leading Fulham and Leicester City on goal difference, while trailing unbeaten league leaders Chelsea by eight points.
Vlad Dragomir celebrates after giving his side the lead at the Emirates Stadium
Chuba Akpom scores Arsenal's second goal under pressure from Tommy Beading
Akpom celebrates after securing three points for Steve Gatting's team
Most watched Sport videos
- The Rock begins MMA training camp ahead of filming 'Smashing Machine'
- Nunez storming down the tunnel was a 'dumb move'
- Dad or Ronaldo? World Snooker Champ Wilson's kids keep him humble
- Boy dies after being hit in the groin with a ball during cricket
- Boy aged 10 dies after freak cricket accident
- Mbappe asked whether he will support Real Madrid tomorrow
- Brendan Fevola's daughter reveals he still plays footy in the park
- Dortmund get the party started as they reach Champions League final
- PSG and Dortmund fans put on a spectacle ahead of UCL clash
- Jadon Sancho leads Dortmund stars in Adele rendition
- Dortmund boss Edin Terzic: It's a beautiful evening for the club
- PSG boss: 'It's a sad feeling' as side exits Champions League